In the whole plan, the public opinion in the Xihe area is also very critical, because here is a mixture of multiple ethnic groups, not a single ethnic group. Why are people willing to come to Xihe? It is not to be loyal to the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, but to avoid the war.
, to avoid disputes, now everyone is focused on making money, and they are very satisfied with the status quo.
If Xihe rashly launches a war again, it will make Xihe's interior very unstable because there are too many uneasy factors.
The first step is to unite Xihe.
Among them, the idea of businessmen is particularly critical.
Because the prosperity here depends entirely on businessmen. If the businessmen don't make money, those guys will have no way of making a living.
Wang Shao knew the truth, so he had already sent people to secretly publicize it, saying that it was the Empress Dowager Liang of Xixia who decided to ban trade with Xihe in order to seize power, and that he would first gain the moral high ground.
But this is far from enough.
We also need secret help from Ma Tianhao and others.
Because according to the plan, first of all, the merchants in Xixia launched a rebellion, created public dissatisfaction, and cooperated with their ministers inside and outside the court. Zhang Fei needed Ma Tianhao and others to unite the merchants in Xihe to protect their own interests and support the Xixia merchants.
Ma Tianhao is in charge of Yunzhen Temple. The ban on trade in Xixia will definitely affect the income of Yunzhen Temple. Ma Tianhao and the others have enough reasons to express their dissatisfaction.
Only in this way can Wang Shao have the opportunity to operate and launch a war in the name of a businessman.
This not only united Xihe, but also concealed the Song army's intentions and deceived the Liao Kingdom tactically.
This is also a rehearsal for launching an attack on the Liao Kingdom. If it can be successful this time, it can be used for the Liao Kingdom in the future.
Ma Tianhao was very excited about this plan. He had taken the initiative to join the army before, not just to make a living. It can be seen that he was not content with peace and quiet. However, he was framed in the first place and had lingering fears, so he did not dare to do it again.
After a few years of staying here, he started to become restless again.
Zhang Fei taught some routines to Ma Tianhao.
The specific details of this plan require them to adapt to changes, rather than planning everything, they are just pure executors.
...
A few days later, Cao Ping, who was out on inspection, returned to Xizhou.
"Why didn't you bring Dong'er with you this time?"
Cao Ping didn't show any kindness to the president of the court, nor did he greet him, he asked in an understatement.
Zhang Fei hurriedly said: "Uncle Cao doesn't know something. The Yameni has been clamoring to follow him, saying that he wants to see Uncle Cao. However, I think this place is very dangerous. It took a lot of hard work to persuade the Yameni not to follow him.
, Alas...it’s just the filial piety of the poor Yameni!”
Cao Pingpi smiled and said: "It seems that you are not so strict when you are not in court. You have known Dong'er for so long, don't you know that he has always wanted to avoid me? How could you think about it?
come see me."
Zhang Fei's expression was stagnant. Damn! He actually forgot about this. You really can't use ordinary people's thinking to figure out the yamen!
Cao Ping added: "I think you don't need Dong'er to help you share the responsibility this time."
Zhang Fei immediately realized that Cao Ping was referring to his previous mission to Northern Xinjiang, but he pretended to be confused and said, "Uh... what do you think Uncle Cao said?"
"How?"
Cao Ping calmly said: "Do you think that since I am in Xizhou, I know nothing about the affairs of the capital?"
Zhang Fei rolled his eyes and said: "Since Uncle Cao knows everything, that's good. I'm afraid that Uncle Cao will misunderstand. If I hadn't pulled Yanei last time, he would definitely have caused big trouble again."
The corner of Cao Ping's mouth twitched, and he couldn't help but sigh: "I never expected that our father and son would be played between the palms of an Erbi."
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Uncle Cao, I treat Yanei like a real brother. If he is in trouble, no matter right or wrong, I will definitely support him."
Cao Ping snorted: "I don't believe this. I have already applied to return to Beijing."
"Uncle Cao can't go back now."
Zhang Fei blurted out.
But as soon as the words came out of his mouth, he knew that he had fallen into Cao Ping's trap.
Cao Ping asked: "Why?"
Zhang Fei said: "Because..."
Cao commented: "Because I have to watch Wang Shao."
Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, then nodded.
The reason why Zhao Xu felt comfortable letting Wang Shao be the commander-in-chief was because last time Wang Shao transferred many soldiers to the royal police, and the royal police was controlled by Cao Ping.
It is equivalent to Zhao Xu controlling Xihe's finances through Zhang Fei and controlling half of the military power through Cao Ping. Only in this way can Zhao Xu allow Wang Shao to stay in Xihe.
In history, many emperors killed heroes and good generals. From God's perspective, many people were innocent. However, the emperor always judges whether you have the ability to rebel, not whether you have the idea of rebellion.
Because the imperial power is supreme.
As long as you have this ability, you will definitely have this idea, not at this moment, but at the next moment.
Cao Ping just nodded, "I understand."
Zhang Fei said sarcastically: "Actually, I have no intention of hiding it from Uncle Cao."
With that said, he informed Cao Ping of the entire plan.
After hearing this, Cao Ping couldn't help but feel a headache, "The more complicated this plan is, the harder it is to succeed."
Zhang Fei said: "So the first thing to do in the whole plan is to defend our border. Even if it fails, we will not lose too much."
Cao Ping nodded slightly and asked, "Then what do I need to do?"
Zhang Fei said: "On the one hand, the police station is used to check and balance Wang Shao, but on the other hand, it acts as an intermediary between Wang Shao and the generals of the Western Army."
This kind of checks and balances is not to weaken Wang Shao's power, but to weaken his strength in exchange for power.
As long as Cao Ping is here, Wang Shao dares to go ahead without fear of being suspected by the emperor.
But this requires Cao Ping's cooperation.
This plan cannot be hidden from Cao Ping.
And these words can only be said by Zhang Fei. If Wang Shao takes the initiative, it will turn out that he is trying to win over Cao Ping and Ma Tianhao, and then he may not be far from death.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! After Zhang Fei talked to them one by one, Wang Shao sent someone to make an appointment to go out to the city for a walk.
"Yunzhen Temple and Superintendent Cao have already agreed on everything."
"President, thank you very much...!"
"Xuanfu Envoy, please don't thank me again."
Zhang Fei quickly handed over his hand and said, "This is my mission on this trip, not to help the Xuanfu envoy."
Wang Shao explained: "I just think that the president of the court is the most important here."
Zhang Fei chuckled and said: "For the Xuanfu Envoy, this may be a credit, but for me, it is poison. Because these are not within the scope of my authority. If word spreads, my career may be ruined."
That’s it for now.”
He is only the prosecutor of the capital and the president of the Shaanxi Road Court, but what he is involved in this time is all military and national affairs. It means that he is bypassing the political hall and the Privy Council is acting. This is breaking the rules.
If Wen Yanbo, Wang Anshi and others knew about it, things would be very serious.
Therefore, he did not leave any evidence, it was all oral.
Wang Shao also reacted and nodded slightly.
Suddenly I heard someone complaining under the tea shed next to me: "Why have the prices of these vegetables gone up again?"
The owner of the tea shed said: "There is no way. A lot of the salt in our Xizhou comes from Xixia. Now Xixia is not allowed to trade with us. The price of salt has gone up, and the price of vegetables will naturally rise with it. After a while, when the salt from Shu
It will probably be better when it comes up, but the price will definitely go up."
"This business is going well, why are we not allowed to trade with our Xizhou? It's really unreasonable."
"I heard from Xixia businessmen that this was all the fault of the Xixia Queen Mother."
"Then why did the Queen Mother of Xixia do this?"
"What else can I do? I just don't want to be friends with our Song Dynasty. That old witch is in power and has sent troops to disrupt the border several times."
"This is just one of them. It is said that the old witch did not want to return the power to the Xixia king and wanted to continue to hold power. However, their king and businessmen all wanted to be good to us, the Song Dynasty, so they started a quarrel."
"When this woman is in power, she will cause endless harm!"
"Isn't it? It's actually not bad here. Those Xixia salt merchants are really complaining and can't even make any money."
"What's the use of complaining? It's better to do the opposite!"
...
Zhang Fei and Wang Shao looked at each other and smiled.
"Xuanfushi's propaganda is really good!"
"This is really not the case."
Wang Shao said: "In the trade between Xixia and Xizhou, salt and grain are the most important. With his decision, prices are rising. How can the people not complain? I just sent people to fan the flames, but the name of this old witch is...
I sent someone to shout out."
Zhang Fei laughed out loud.
Wang Shao added: "The first batch of troublemakers must be the big salt merchants. They make a lot of money every day by selling salt here. And since our dynasty has a nominal ban on salt, these salt merchants also keep their families."
There are a large number of people with money, land, and strong strength. Their attack will cost the lives of those salt merchants!"
Zhang Fei nodded slightly and said, "No wonder our government has such strict control over salt."
Wang Shao said: "President, please don't underestimate this salt. Many of the rebels in the past were all salt traders."
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "It seems I have to go back as soon as possible."
Wang Shao was stunned for a moment, "Why?"
Zhang Fei said: "If there is a conflict when I come here, can those ministers not think too much about it?"
Wang Shao nodded and thought to himself, this guy is not old, but he is more cautious than me. It is no wonder that he has been rising rapidly since he became an official.
...
Zhang Fei really wasn't just talking. After the arrangements were made, he was ready to go back. However, before leaving, he still went to the imperial court to say hello to Fan Zhen and Lu Dajun.
"The Chief Justice is ready to go back?"
Fan Zhen said in surprise.
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "We've almost finished our inspection."
Fan Zhen and Lu Da both looked at each other.
Zhang Fei asked: "Is there anything else you two can do?"
Fan Zhendao: "The chief judge is here to inspect the public prosecutor's office, but he has only talked to us once."
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "My inspection is not to communicate with the president of the court or the chief prosecutor, but to look at the local people's livelihood and reputation, because the concept of the legal system is to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the people, which is specifically reflected in people's livelihood. And this Xi The river area, under the management of the two of you, is very prosperous, there is nothing to say."
"No...it's not."
Fan Zhen suddenly said: "Actually, we still have some things that we would like to discuss with the chief judge."
Zhang Fei asked: "What's the matter?"
Fan Zhendao: "It's about household registration."
"Household registration?"
Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment.
Fan Zhen nodded and said: "According to the laws of the imperial court, our trade with neighboring countries requires the establishment of trading houses for the people of both sides to trade."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "I know that."
Fan Zhendao: "But Xizhou is very special. It seems that the entire Xizhou is a big business, but this also leads to a problem, that is, many people have settled in Xizhou.
Especially in the past two years, there have been particularly many merchants and craftsmen who have settled in Xizhou. Should these people be counted as common people in the Song Dynasty? Should we issue household registration to them?"
Zhang Fei asked: "What are the regulations now?"
Fan Zhendao: "Nowadays, both locals and outsiders in Xizhou have temporary household registrations. They are free to go west, but if they want to go to the Central Plains, they need to go to the police station to apply for relevant official documents, and the chance of passing is very small, because There are many spies from Tubo and Xixia here.
It can be said that it is more convenient for them to go to Xixia than to the Central Plains.
But this is not a long-term solution, since Xizhou is already our Song Dynasty territory, and the local people cannot obtain our Song Dynasty household registration, this may change at any time."
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "This is really a problem, but I can't make the decision on this matter. I have to discuss it with the Legislative Council after I go back."
Lu Dajun suddenly said: "There is another problem, that is, many people in Xixia were persecuted and fled to Xizhou to settle. How should these people be dealt with? Recently, this situation has become more and more common, and Xixia is also very dissatisfied with it. It has already Several times, messages came in asking us to hand the person back."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Zhang Fei asked: "What does President Lu think of this?"
Lu Dajun said: "I think if they are robbers and thieves who broke the law in Xixia, they can be returned. But if they are persecuted by the Empress Dowager Liang, we can take them in."
Zhang Fei was slightly surprised, "Isn't President Lu afraid of conflict with Xixia?"
Lu Dajun said: "According to the news we learned, the Empress Dowager Liang should have returned power to their country's leader this year, but the Queen Mother Liang wanted to continue to hold power, and their country's leader was more inclined to have good relations with me, the Song Dynasty. Therefore,
The Empress Dowager Liang banned trade with Xizhou, and at the same time sent minions to persecute nobles and merchants who had good relations with us in the Song Dynasty.
If you really want to avoid conflicts with Xixia, you should give these people asylum to force the Empress Dowager Liang to return them to power."
Fan Zhen nodded and said, "I also agree with this."
Although they are unwilling to start a war, Empress Dowager Liang's behavior is the most objectionable to their literati. If they hand the people back, they will be helping the tyranny. If word spreads, they are not human beings. They cannot do such a thing. This is actually
It can be regarded as a kind of Confucian ideology.
Because Xixia is not a tribal society and has state power, the impact of Empress Dowager Liang's behavior is very bad.
This is really God helping me! Zhang Fei was secretly happy, nodded and said: "I think what you two said makes sense, but this is not a trivial matter. If you want to legislate, it must pass the Legislative Council.
However, as far as I know, there are no specific provisions on this in the interim law, so I suggest that you two come up with a representative figure and give a precedent, so that subsequent actions can be based on this precedent."
President Lu said: "Can this be done? After all, this is a foreign matter, and legal precedents also need reasons."
They can't really use their ideology to protect those people.
Zhang Fei thought for a while and said: "In the name of defending Xizhou's interests."
"Xizhou interests?"
"yes!"
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "Xizhou's prosperity comes from trade, from commerce. Any behavior that harms trade will seriously harm Xizhou's interests. If Xizhou is indifferent to all bans on trade around Xizhou, then Xizhou will inevitably
Towards decline.
This is also related to the vital interests of the people of Xizhou. According to the concept of legal system, the imperial court must safeguard this."
Lu Dajun's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he immediately raised his hands and said, "Thank you, Chief Justice, for your advice."
Once this case comes out, the whole plan will become more perfect. Zhang Fei was secretly happy and said modestly: "Where, where? It's really embarrassing to say that I have been patrolling for a long time and I didn't notice these situations. Thank you very much for informing me."
.”
...
However, the arrival of Lu Dajun and Fan Zhen did not allow Zhang Fei to stay in Xizhou for a while. He left Xizhou as scheduled and headed to Hezhong Prefecture.
In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, he disguised himself and went directly to the imperial court.
Hezhong Mansion, Imperial Court.
"Oh! Sitting here actually feels like going home."
Sitting on a familiar chair, Zhang Fei couldn't help but sigh.
"Teacher, please drink tea."
Cai Bian poured a cup of tea for Zhang Fei.
Zhang Fei smiled and asked, "How are you doing lately?"
Cai Bian hurriedly said: "Thanks to the teacher for thinking about me, everything is fine with the students."
At this point, he hesitated again, "That's it... that's it..."
Zhang Fei glanced at him and said, "What is it?"
Cai Bian said: "It's just that students don't understand. Why aren't students allowed to go to Jiangnan to implement the public security law?"
Zhang Fei asked curiously: "Do you want to go to Jiangnan?"
Cai Bian nodded and said: "Nowadays, the people in the entire northwest have become accustomed to the public prosecutor's office. The students who stay here only hear some cases every day, but the county chiefs can handle most of the cases. The students still hope that
We can go to other places to implement public security laws and popularize teachers’ legal methods.”
He is still young and energetic, and hopes to try more challenges.
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "There is actually a reason for keeping you in the northwest."
Cai Bian asked: "What's the reason?"
Zhang Fei said: "It is because of the existence of Xixia that the northwest region is of vital importance. There is currently no conflict. Of course, that is another matter. But if there is a war and the northwest needs to be mobilized, do you think the rest of the people can handle it?"
Cai Bian asked cautiously: "But doesn't the imperial court want to major in internal affairs recently? Xihe Tuobian has also completely stopped."
Zhang Fei said: "But the tree wants to be quiet but the wind doesn't stop, and the Queen Mother of Xixia is causing wind and rain again."
Cai Bian nodded and said, "Students understand."
Just as he was talking, the servant came to report, and Su Zhe came.
Zhang Fei immediately went out to greet him, and after exchanging pleasantries, the three of them returned to the house again.
Su Che said with a smile: "I thought the Chief Justice would come to Hezhong Mansion first, find some helpers, and go to Bianzhou together to implement the public security law."
Zhang Fei said half-jokingly: "I don't dare. If we invite Prosecutor General Su to go here, it will only do bad things."
Su Che smiled and said, "How do you say this?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "I heard that Prosecutor General Su has been killing people like crazy in the northwest in recent years. Those generals are very afraid!"
When Zhang Fei was here, he had maintained secret communication with Yuan Jiang. But after he left, Su Zhe didn't care about you. As long as they found the evidence, he would be merciless. Many landlords and nobles were killed by Su Zhe.
Zhe fell to the ground.
Su Zhe said: "If you are upright, you are not afraid of the shadow. The reason why they are afraid is because they have evil intentions in their hearts. However, the chief judge asked them to recommend judicial officials themselves. This will only further fuel their arrogance and damage the reputation of the public prosecutor and the judiciary."
"
Zhang Fei said in surprise: "Prosecutor Su already knows."
Cai Bian on the side said hehey: "Now that trade is easy, the news came very quickly."
Zhang Fei shrugged and said, "But who can blame you?"
Su Che asked: "What do you mean by this?"
Zhang Fei said: "We have hundreds of thousands of forbidden troops in the Song Dynasty, but the most effective ones are these Western armies. If we easily destroy the system like Fuzhou, will it affect the combat effectiveness of the Western army? This is not the case.
It can be seen that the combat effectiveness of the Western Army also affects national security, but before sufficient evidence, the court does not dare to act rashly."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Su Zhe said: "Then don't implement the public prosecutor's law in the border states and let them, military generals, elect the judiciary. Wouldn't this destroy the judicial system?"
Zhang Fei said: "But facts have proven that civil servants are doing more bad things now."
Su Zhe said: "But it was the civilian officials who established the Public Security Law, and I think that implementing the Public Security Law in border states would actually be more helpful to border defense. If during a war, the Public Security Law can stabilize the people's hearts in the rear, and military commanders can concentrate on the battlefield.
"
Zhang Fei said: "But those generals have selfish motives."
Su Zhe said: "So, the Chief Justice doesn't think this is a kind of connivance?"
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "Prosecutor Su should remember that when we first arrived at Hezhong Mansion, I was very indulgent in many behaviors. Everything had to be done step by step. This was also my style of doing things."
Su Zhe said: "But I'm worried that they will destroy the reputation of the Public Security Bureau. As the chief judge said, it is very difficult to establish the Public Security Law, but it is very easy to destroy it. That is why we have worked hard over the years.
Walking on thin ice, I dare not slack off at all.”
Having said this, he paused for a moment and suddenly said: "I think the president of the court has other motives for doing this."
This guy really hasn't changed at all. Zhang Fei said with a smile: "Prosecutor Su thinks I have some purpose in doing this. Isn't this a good start?"
Su Che glanced at Zhang Fei doubtfully and said with a smile: "Who knows, just like no one could have imagined back then that private salt would flood into the northwest, which happened to solve the salt debt crisis."
Zhang Fei immediately said: "This private relationship has nothing to do with me."
Su Che did not hesitate, but changed the subject and said, "I wonder what the Chief Justice thinks after this inspection?"
Zhang Fei nodded and said: "It's very good. I can't even find anything wrong with it."
Su Che added: "But in fact it's just an illusion."
Zhang Fei asked: "How do you say this?"
Su Zhe said: "The people are living better than before, but their families are not well-off, and the government relies on debt, and there is not much food in the warehouse. If there is a slight disturbance, the situation may take a turn for the worse. And the main reason is that
The reason is Xihe Tuobian. We actually did not deal with it calmly."
Zhang Fei smiled and said: "This situation will improve soon."
Su Che asked curiously: "How do you say this?"
Zhang Fei said: "I believe that Prosecutor General Su has also heard about the WFP and water transport reform."
Su Che nodded.
Zhang Fei said: "This reform will reduce the pressure on the northwest, because the WFP uses procurement to meet the needs of the capital, and it is obviously more cost-effective to buy food in the south of the Yangtze River.
The tax policy in the northwest will be monetized. After the tax coins and salt banknotes are connected, the northwest can use salt banknotes to pay taxes without having to transport a large amount of grain to the capital.
In this way, the government's granary will be filled immediately."
Su Che was surprised, "Aren't you doing this to start a war with Xixia?"
Zhang Fei slapped his forehead and said, "Prosecutor Su, the treasury is not full. You blame it on the border war. The imperial court is trying to find ways to make the treasury full, and you think it is preparing for war.
This reform is mainly for optimization and saving losses, nothing more. Given the atmosphere of the imperial court, it has been impossible to use foreign troops in recent years. If you don’t believe me, you can write and ask Bachelor Sima."
Su Che looked at Zhang Fei suspiciously.
He and Zhang Fei are old partners. He knows that Zhang Fei has never been so upright. He is very suspicious of Zhang Fei's trip because Zhang Fei hid it from them and went directly to Yanzhou first and then to Xi.
Prefecture, and then return to Hezhongfu.
It can be seen that the focus of Zhang Fei's trip was the border towns. Although he had a reason to promote the public prosecutor's law, his method was very simple and crude, which was to let the warlords recommend judicial officials themselves.
It's so simple, but you still need the president of the court to come in person and issue an order from the court.
He also knew the situation in Xixia, and he was very worried about it. He did not think that the northwest was rich enough to be able to fight in Xixia.
In fact, the most important thing is that he cherishes the fruits of the northwest reform very much, because they were created through their joint efforts. Seeing the people's lives slowly getting better, he is unwilling to go to war again.
Just then, I heard a commotion outside.
Cai Bian immediately ordered someone to check. After a while, the man came back. It turned out that the people had received the news and said that the chief judge was coming, so they all rushed over.
There was no other way, Zhang Fei had no choice but to come outside.
"Ah! What a great president."
"President of the Court!"
...
Seeing Zhang Fei, the people immediately shouted excitedly.
Although Su Che is very famous in the northwest, Zhang Fei has always been a soul-level figure in Hezhong Mansion.